Biblical Counseling

The Scriptures clearly teach that local churches have a biblical responsibility to counsel, encourage, and equip Christ-followers through the use of God’s Word. This ministry offers counseling to the local churches in which it is affiliated, along with offering itself as an extension to any Bible believing, preaching/teaching, and practicing church.

The overarching goal of this ministry is to honor and glorify the Lord by sharing His Word on a personal level; addressing individual, couples, and family needs with the appropriate and necessary counsel from the Scriptures.  It is God’s Word that changes true believers (John 17:17).  It is a blessing to see Christ-followers undergo lasting change in areas in which they may be struggling; this accomplished via the Spirit of God.

The Bible is totally sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3) to help believers change habits, behaviors, and guide them toward repentance and restored fellowship with the Lord (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:6-10). This ministry will address anything that might weigh the Christ-follower down and cause them to stumble (with the exception of legitimate medical conditions that should be handled by the appropriate medical professional).  The Scriptures warn to “see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). This ministry takes this God-given warning very seriously. It uses the Bible solely as its authority to guide people through stormy times of life, as the church is clearly instructed to do (Ephesians 4:11-16).

So then…what exactly is Biblical Counseling?

1. Biblical Counseling is concerned with the desires, thinking, and motivations of the heart.  Correctly identifying any problem areas will be necessary in order for the Lord to make godly changes in a person’s life (Proverbs 15:13; Luke 6:45).
2. Biblical Counseling uses God’s Word to bring about heart change, which leads to lasting changes in human behavior (2 Corinthians 7:1).
3. Biblical Counseling seeks to assist in the sanctification of the Christian (Christ-like molding: Romans 8:28-29), and for God to be honored and glorified through this transformation (1 Corinthians 10:31).

What Biblical Counseling is not…

1. Biblical Counseling is not optional.  It is a must-have church ministry that should be available to all Christ-followers (Acts 20:31; Romans 15:14; Colossians 1:28).
2. Biblical Counseling is not an entity separate from discipleship.  It is a part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
3. Biblical Counseling is not behavior modification (which most often is not a permanent solution to any of life’s problems), but actually aims at the transformation and renewing of the counselees heart and mind (Romans 12:2) and provides lifelong changes.
4. Biblical Counseling is not only applying biblical principles to life’s issues, but also provides the actual model of the perfect Person to follow (Hebrews 4:15) and the pertaining instructions necessary to do so.
5. Biblical Counseling is not an activity that is insensitive or uncaring.  It is always administered with Christ’s love as the overarching motive. The goal is always restoration (Galatians 6:1-2), stressing the amazing benefits of God’s grace throughout the process.
6. Biblical Counseling is often not the same type of guidance that Christian Counseling offers.  The underlying foundation used for Christian Counseling could be very different from Biblical Counseling. (You can read “Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology” by Ed Bulkley or “How Christian is Christian Counseling?” by Gary Almy, M.D. for more information on this very important and often unknown distinction.)
7. Biblical Counseling is ultimately not for unbelievers, as an indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30) is vital for life-lasting positive change (Galatians 5:22-23).

What kind of counseling/discipling will you receive, and what is its objective?

Biblical Counseling/Discipling provides a 100% biblically based approach to counseling, in order to guide, equip, and encourage believers back into a Spirit-led walk through life (Galatians 5:16).  As true believer’s we are directed by Christ to be witnesses and messengers of the gospel in our daily walk.  At times, though, we allow our circumstances to overtake us and go astray.  Biblical Counseling/Discipling will strive to bring you back into a right fellowship with God and exhorts counselees to walk more closely with Christ. As a result a person may be the witness God desires them to be as His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The ultimate goal of Biblical Counseling/Discipling is to come along side of each counselee and restore them through discipleship, encouragement, and clear biblical instruction (Galatians 6:1-10).  And if it is simply personal mentoring, coaching, or accountability that you feel is right for your situation, this ministry can appropriately adjust to each and every situation.

What are the requirements to enter into this type of counseling? 

There are two mandatory requirements in order to participate in this ministry:

1. Are you truly a born-again believer (professing that it is by faith alone in Christ that you are saved and undeniably believe this in your heart: Romans 10:9-13)?
2. Do you accept Jesus Christ as Lord of your life and want to attempt to abide by His inerrant and authoritative Word as fully and completely as humanly possible (this enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit)?

If you answered “YES” to both of these questions, then this ministry might be for you.  At your first meeting, you will be asked to confirm both of these requirements before any type of formal counseling/discipling relationship will be considered.

Biblical Counseling/Discipling can cover the following areas:

For more details, information, or to schedule a consultation or an appointment, please call (908) 420-1915 or use the email form on the Contact RMH page.